Season recap: Levern Jacobs

Levern Jacobs went to Milford Academy committed to Marshall, and left the New Berlin, N.Y., prep school in December still committed to the Thundering Herd. But between then and now, the former Suitland star decided instead to accept an offer to play for his hometown Terps.

Milford coach Bill Chaplick was surprised when Jacobs switched his commitment to Maryland, and emphasized that the wide receiver’s switch “didn’t go through us.” But wherever Jacobs ended up, Chaplick was certain of several things.

“He’s a Division 1A athlete,” Chaplick said. “He’s always smiling, pleasant to be around, hard worker. He did a real good job for us this year. He started off a little slow, but he finished real strong. He’s got great speed and had a good year for us. We were an undefeated team and he was a tremendous part of it.”

The Falcons finished 11-0 in 2011, playing a schedule of other prep schools, junior colleges, and Football Championship Subdivision junior varsity teams. Milford outscored its opponents 456-144.

Milford’s explosive offense was multiple, but more of a run-based offense with some spread mixed in. Those spread sets offered Jacobs a chance to flourish.

“The speed” of Jacobs stood out, Chaplick said. “And he had real good hands and he ran good patterns for us, which enabled him to catch the football. … He did well for the offense we run.”

Jacobs caught 15 passes for 289 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. Milford’s stats beyond the first eight games were not released, but Chaplick said Jacobs got better as the season went on. The future Terp’s performance against Army’s prep team – two catches for 80 yards and one touchdown – was particularly memorable for Chaplick.

“We won by [16] points and he was definitely a part of that comeback,” Chaplick said. “He kind of kicked it up after that for the whole year. That kind of lit the fuse for him. When you play against the military schools, it’s just another level. They’re so serious and everything, it just brought out the best in him.”

Chaplick said he enjoyed his time coaching Jacobs, who “always came into the office” smiling, no matter what was going on in with football or school. The Milford coach thinks Jacobs will make the best of whatever role is given to him at Maryland.

“I think he can play outside and I think he can play inside,” Chaplick said. “He’ll probably be a slot in the ACC. But that’s something that Coach [Randy] Edsall [can decide]. Kids like that can still grow. You never know. Athletically, he’s good enough to play in both places.”

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